Christian publishing leaders, suppliers and retailers are praising the appointment of Curtis Riskey as executive director of CBA to replace longtime President and CEO Bill Anderson.

The owner of a Christian bookstore in Oshkosh, Wis., Riskey, 43, has been on the staff of the retailers' trade association since 2007 and served as its interim executive director since Anderson's departure last October.

Evangelical Christian Publishers Association President and CEO Mark Kuyper called Riskey "an excellent choice." It will be the first time a Christian retailer has held the reigns of the association for Christian retail in the 60-year history of the organization, Kuyper said. Riskey "understands the challenging issues facing Christian retailers, but sees options and opportunities for growth and ministry.

"Curtis and I have been colleagues and good friends for more than a decade, and I know him to be a man of creative vision and great integrity," added Kuyper, a former vice president of CBA. "I look forward to working closely with Curtis in the days ahead and hope to find new ways to partner and collaborate in areas of shared service to our industries."

Gift company P. Graham Dunn President Peter Dunn said Riskey "has shown strong leadership in his past experiences within the Christian bookstore market." "He has been a successful bookstore owner and manager, and understands the nuances of our market," said Dunn, a former CBA board member who has worked with Riskey. "I feel Curtis is well-poised to provide the leadership that the industry needs to face the challenges of an ever-changing market in the years to come."

LifeWay Christian Stores Vice President Mark Scott said he was "excited" about Riskey's appointment. "Curtis has exhibited a strong understanding of the strategic issues facing our industry," he said. "He also possesses the relational skills to help industry leaders work together toward common goals. Most importantly, he has a genuine passion for the ministry of Christian retail. I believe he will do an outstanding job."

Jim Kregel, president of Kregel Parable Christian Stores in Grand Rapids, Mich., agreed. "I believe he is a man with a genuine heart for ministry, he has a commendable background in Christian retailing, and he possesses a wide range of business and technological acumen," said Kregel, whose store was recognized with a CBA Spirit of Excellence Award at the International Christian Retail Show (ICRS) last summer. "With industry prayer support and the support of colleagues and friends, I believe Curtis will do a great job in leading CBA onward and upward."

Brenda Harrison, co-owner of Lighthouse Christian Bookstore in Bedford, Ind., said the fact that Riskey "is a retailer himself makes him a good choice." "I have heard him speak and have read articles he has written," said Harrison, whose store was also recognized with a CBA Spirit of Excellence Award at ICRS last summer. "He is very knowledgeable and is an excellent speaker."

In announcing Riskey's appointment last week, CBA said that the organization would be "using an executive director management model going forward." Regarding the change in management style, CBA Chairman-elect George Thomsen said that the board felt it "best fits CBA's needs for this day and age."

The model would allow Riskey to lead the organization, while continuing to give personal attention to key programs and member services in which he was already involved. His job responsibilities and level of authority "are very similar" to Anderson's.

"There will be some minor shifting of labor onto the board," Thomsen added. "For instance, the board wants to communicate more directly with CBA's members, so the chairman will be more involved in speaking to the industry than in the past. Yet, the industry will see and hear from Curtis as well."

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